Bangladesh are a team that has shown tremendous growth in cricket over the years. From being a team that could barely compete with the top teams to vanquishing Australia in a five-match T20 series, Bangladesh have proven that the future will only get brighter.
Despite their success lately, the process has continued for decades and several players have contributed to it, while some are still going strong. Their dominating 4-1 victory over the mighty Aussies just adds weightage to the justification and maybe could also be the beginning of something that is set to happen for the Asian Nation.
Let's have a look at five big reasons why Bangladesh can be a formidable side in cricket in the upcoming years.
The veteran influence
As mentioned earlier, a lot of players have played a part in Bangladesh's progress lately, and there are some players who remain to be the integral parts of this Bangladesh squad.
The likes of Shakib Al-Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim have been in the dressing room for more than a decade now and their influence has played a huge role in the development of the youngsters in the squad.
This ICC World T20 could be another, and perhaps a tournament where Bangladesh have a more than decent chance to produce some upsets. With the perfect blend of experience and flare of their youngsters, it'll be interesting to see how Bangladesh turns up for their biggest test of this year.
Robust spin attack
Bangladesh have always had a consistent and wicket-taking bowler in Shakib Al-Hasan but the pressure was always persistent from one end and thus, it wasn't enough for them to choke their opposition.
Now, with the likes of Mahedi Hasan and Nasum Ahmed rising among the ranks, Bangladesh not only have support for Shakib but with the kind of skills Hasan and Ahmed possess, Bangladesh have covered 12 overs out of 20 as far as the upcoming World Cup is concerned.
Apart from their spin dominance, they also possess the likes of Mahmudullah, who can be a great part-time option, Mustafizur Rahman, and the likes of Shoriful Islam and Soumya Sarkar.
Bangladesh have ample options to jumble through. What do you think? Which spinner would be the most dangerous in the upcoming World Cup?
Sub-continental conditions
The fact that UAE and Oman grounds will host the T20 matches, Bangladesh's spin-dominated side have a lot to bank on. They have promising batsmen present on their side, the likes of Tamim, Mushfiqur, Mahmudullah, Shakib and with the conditions in UAE, Bangladesh can play on their strength.
The batsmen are well-versed with the conditions, and Bangladesh wouldn't get a better chance to progress and do a lot better than what they've managed in the past ICC tournaments.
“I’ve played for a few years now, certainly the toughest conditions to play T20 cricket in. Great learning for youngsters. Wasn’t our series, unfortunately. There are no excuses for not playing enough cricket. We had enough cricket in the West Indies to come and play good cricket, we just didn’t. Credit to Bangladesh, they did well,”
-Matthew Wade
Multiple teams not performing well
Depending on other team's miseries is not the best thing to hope for, but Bangladesh have faced some of the best versions of Australia, South Africa, England, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and New Zealand in the past.
Now, when the likes of South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and Pakistan are struggling or you can say are not at their absolute best, Bangladesh have a big chance to have high hopes from this tournament.
The best part about the T20 format is that any team that executes a plan perfectly can win, doesn't matter if it's Bangladesh or New Zealand, 20 overs make it very competitive for a side to earn a win and Bangladesh are surely at a stage where they can compete with the best too.
Determination to make it big
Bangladesh's recent form has been exceptional. They beat Zimbabwe, Ireland, West Indies, and they are now 3-1 ahead against an Australian side that may not be their strongest but they still possess a lot of players.
The drive-in the Bangladesh squad looks very promising and the team as a unit looks more composed. The plans are better and so is the execution.
In the upcoming T20 World Cup, Bangladesh will have to go through the qualifiers first where they belong in a group with Oman, Papua New Guinea, and Scotland named Group B.
Two from this group will be qualifying for the super 12 and if Bangladesh progress through, something that seems very much possible conferring their form, they will be placed with the likes of India, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and Pakistan along with a member of the group A. This happens if they finish first in the qualifiers table and if they finish second, they will play the likes of South Africa, Australia, West Indies, and England.
How strong is this Bangladesh side? How far will they go in the upcoming ICC World T20? Let us know your thoughts via your social media accounts.
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